About Us
Be a Part of the New Brigade!
Brigade drum & bugle corps invites you to become a part of our 2010 competition season. Brigade is a community-based, precision marching & music activity, with membership open to anyone between the ages of 14 & 21. Positions are available in Brass, Percussion & Colorguard for a total of 104 members.
We are starting the 2010 season off with a bang! With Corps Director Jim Young leading the charge, we have brought on a staff that is sure to make a big impact.
Chief of staff and production coordinator:
Dr. Randal Dickerson, Director of the Blugold Marching Band at UW-Eau Claire. Fresh from a European tour, Dr. Dickerson brings with him years of experience in marching music. There is a waiting list to get the chance to play in his band and this is a rare and great opportunity to work with a master. Dr Dickerson will also be our brass caption head.
Visual Caption head:
Mr. Phil Snyder has a BA in Music Performance from UW-EC, where he studied & worked with Dr. Dickerson. He has had an active role in Drum and Bugle Corps for many years. He aged-out as the trumpet section leader/horn sergeant of the World Class Colts drum & bugle corps – and currently maintains a busy schedule as a chamber musician, soloist, adjudicator, clinician and teacher.
Together, Randy and Phil designed and organized a small corps program for us in June of 2009. This group of 48 young people from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa took to the road for performances at Six Flags and Navy Pier, in Chicago. This has formed the base for the new Brigade, as we charge ahead into 2010.
Next Rehearsal Camp is January 15th & 16th.
Rehearsal camps will be held one weekend a month throughout the winter, to prepare for competition next summer. Camps begin on Friday evening and run through Saturday afternoon. Hard work for sure – but it pays off when you are on the field, performing for thousands of cheering fans!
Our first year’s performance schedule will keep us close to home. Trips will be mostly short – one-day, or weekend – to allow members to work, go to school, and stay involved with other interests. The week of DCI championships will be the exception. As the season is short, you will be required to be available for all performance weekends, including the 4th of July and DCI championship week.
When on tour, we will travel by motor coach. There will be free time for you to enjoy the hospitality of other cities. Of course, the objective is to make finals at the DCI Open Class World Championship. We are confident that we will.
Volunteer opportunities
Whatever your strengths, we’re sure that there is a way you can help the Brigade! Volunteers are needed at all Brigade functions throughout the year, both during winter camps and on the road in the summer.
Here’s a sampling of the available volunteer positions:
Transportation
Drivers with a CDL, for equipment truck and mobile kitchen.
Food Service
Cooks to provide meals during rehearsal camps & while the Brigade is on the road.
Sewing/Uniform Repair
Repair & alter uniforms, as well as sew & mend flags.
Equipment Repair/Upkeep
Due to the rigors of touring, there are always opportunities to repair broken equipment.
Medical
EMT, Nurse, or MD – to help keep our members healthy.
Fund Raising
In addition to various events throughout the year, each summer the Brigade hosts a drum corps competition – Drums On the Chippewa, at Eau Claire’s Carson Park.
How Do I Join?
For more information about the Brigade and how you can become a part of this exciting activity, please fill out our online Audition Registration or Staff/Volunteer Inquiry.
You can also e-mail us: director@cvbrigade.org
Or phone:
(715) 579-4990 [Corps Director]
(715) 726-9094 [CVDBCA Office]
